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Argent Data Systems Tracker4 Manual

Aprs tracker / tnc / gateway
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Tracker4
APRS Tracker / TNC / Gateway
MANUAL
Version 1.02 Revised 8-2-2018

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Summary of Contents for Argent Data Systems Tracker4

  • Page 1 Tracker4 APRS Tracker / TNC / Gateway MANUAL Version 1.02 Revised 8-2-2018...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    | Argent Data Systems Table of Contents Introduction Command Reference APRS Commands Hardware Description Radio Commands Interfaces Network Commands Radio Interface (Rear DE9 Female) Debugging / Diagnostics Configuration Parameters Serial Port Resetting to Defaults RS-485 / Modbus RTU Setup...

  • Page 3: Introduction

    24 MB of internal file storage for data logging, scripts, etc. Preliminary Documentation This is the first public release of the Tracker4 and this manual. Please check www.argentdata. com frequently for documentation and firmware updates for the latest information, feature...

  • Page 4: Hardware Description

    Argent Data Systems Hardware Description The Tracker4 measures 5.1” by 3.3” by 1.2”, including its mounting flange. Its front panel has a male DE9 connector for RS-232 serial accessories such as weather stations, a 10-position 0.150” pitch pluggable terminal block with connections for power, RS-485, Dallas 1-Wire, and three analog inputs, and activity indicator LEDs.

  • Page 5: Usb

    Argent Data Systems The USB mini-B connector is the primary way you’ll connect the tracker to a PC. The tracker enumerates as a composite device with both mass storage device (MSD) and communications device class (CDC) functions. The MSD function provides access to the tracker’s internal file system, and the CDC function allows console and KISS access through a virtual serial port.

  • Page 6: Setup

    Argent Data Systems Setup Before your Tracker4 is put into operation, some setup is required. Start by connecting the WiFi antenna, GPS antenna, and a power source. The tracker may be powered through the rear DC jack (a wall adapter may be purchased separately), the radio interface connector, the front terminal block, or via USB.

  • Page 7: Audio Levels

    Argent Data Systems Audio levels Proper audio levels are critical for reliable transmitting (TX) and receiving (RX) of data packets. For normal APRS operation, the tracker’s RX audio level setting isn’t critical - you can leave it set at its maximum. For certain voice features you’ll need to adjust it to match the peak audio level coming from the radio.

  • Page 8: Wifi Setup

    Out of the box, the tracker is configured to create a WiFi Direct group named ‘Tracker4’. If you have a WiFi Direct-capable device like an Android phone or tablet, select ‘WiFi Direct’ from the WiFi network menu and you should see the tracker in the list of available networks.

  • Page 9: Alternative Setup Method

    Once the virtual serial port is available, you can use a terminal program like PuTTY or Minicom to access the tracker’s command console. The baud rate setting is ignored. After opening the connection you should see the Tracker4 banner message and a prompt.

  • Page 10: Web Interface

    Argent Data Systems Web Interface The tracker’s web interface contains its own help system and is generally fairly self-explanatory, but there are a few things to be aware of. In Google Chrome, it should look something like this: There are a number of status icons that may appear on the right side of the title bar. These are: ...

  • Page 11: Home Screen

    Argent Data Systems the tracker could be powered off. No new data will be displayed and no commands can be processed. The web app will continue to try to contact the tracker and this icon will disappear when the connection is reestablished.

  • Page 12: Settings

    10 | Argent Data Systems Settings The ‘Settings’ menu is divided into several sections. Each section has its own ‘Cancel’ and ‘Save’ buttons. Clicking ‘Cancel’ will restore the form to the current saved settings. ‘Save’ saves the settings to the tracker. For a detailed explanation of a setting, click the blue  icon next to the setting’s name.

  • Page 13: Introduction To Aprs

    11 | Argent Data Systems Introduction to APRS To understand the Tracker4 and how it can be used, it is important to first understand exactly what APRS is. APRS stands for Automatic Packet Reporting System. The name is a trademark of its creator, Bob Bruninga, WB4APR.
  • Page 14 12 | Argent Data Systems programs exist, using either the APRS radio network, the APRS-IS, or both. Some of these programs can function as IGates as well. Connected to the worldwide APRS-IS stream are a number of database services. These systems (aprs.fi and openaprs.net are two of the most popular) process and store all APRS traffic that...

  • Page 15: Command Reference

    Saves the current configuration to non-volatile memory. Unlike previous trackers in the series, the Tracker4 doesn’t immediately save most settings to non-volatile memory. This reduces the wear on the flash memory, but you must ensure that you use the SAVE command after changing settings if the settings are to be retained after power is lost.
  • Page 16 14 | Argent Data Systems RUN <filename> Executes a batch file or BASIC program. RESET <sub-command> RESET DEFAULTS Resets to factory default configuration. RESET SYSTEM Reboots the system after a 3-second pause. RESET FLASH Performs a mass erase on the flash memory. All files and configuration data will be erased.

  • Page 17: Aprs Commands

    15 | Argent Data Systems Displays or sets the date. LOGGER <text> Writes a message to the syslog system. APRS Commands BEACON [text] By itself, BEACON causes the tracker to immediately send a position beacon, assuming the callsign is set. If text is entered, the text is transmitted as the body of a plain text packet.
  • Page 18 16 | Argent Data Systems shell commands will complete immediately, if the queue is not full, and they will be acted on in sequence. Playing a WAV file, for example, may take some time to complete. While the playback is in progress, other radio commands can be entered but they will not be acted on until the playback is finished.

  • Page 19: Network Commands

    17 | Argent Data Systems Network Commands WIFI [sub-command] Includes several sub-commands. With no sub-command specified, displays WiFi status information, including the device’s IP address and WiFi module firmware version. Some the sub-commands affect parameters that can be set with the SET command, but unlike the SET parameters, these commands act directly on the WiFi system and are executed immediately, rather than simply altering saved settings.
  • Page 20 18 | Argent Data Systems Sets the subnet mask (default is 255.255.255.0). WIFI GATEWAY <ip addr> Sets the default gateway. WIFI HOSTNAME <name> Sets the network hostname for this device. WIFI RESET Resets the WiFi module. WIFI REINIT Re-initializes the entire network subsystem.
  • Page 21 19 | Argent Data Systems NTP [hostname] Synchronizes the local clock with that of a remote NTP server. If no server is specified, time.nist. gov is used. TELNET <hostname> [port] Starts telnet client and connects to a remote system. NETSTAT Displays information about active network connections and listeners.

  • Page 22: Debugging / Diagnostics

    20 | Argent Data Systems Lists directory contents. If no path is specified, the contents of the current directory are displayed. WRITE <file> <text> Writes a line of text to a file. Appends if file exists. TYPE <filename> Displays contents of a text file. Also accessible with the alias ‘cat’.
  • Page 23 Displays data from the specified port on the console. Use this to verify that peripherals like weather stations are sending valid data. SNOOP OFF disables the function. On the Tracker4, ‘A’ is the only valid port for the SNOOP command.

  • Page 24: Configuration Parameters

    22 | Argent Data Systems Configuration Parameters From the console, most configuration parameters are accessed using the show show aprs callsign commands. For example, to check the APRS callsign, use . To set the callsign w1aw to W1AW, use set aprs callsign .
  • Page 25 23 | Argent Data Systems Parameter Default Range Description headerln true true/false Print packet header on its own line filter true true/false Don’t show unprintable characters in packet digi_mycall true true/false Digipeat packets with this unit’s callsign in path dupe_time...
  • Page 26 24 | Argent Data Systems Parameter Default Range Description digi n _insert_id true/false Insert digi’s callsign in place of alias wifi_autoconnect true/false Connect to WiFi network at startup use_open_networks false true/false Connect to unsecured WiFi networks use_dhcp true true/false Obtain network settings automatically...

  • Page 27: Resetting To Defaults

    Firmware Updates The Tracker4’s firmware can be updated over the network or from the console. Assuming the device is connected to the Internet, the update process may be started using the console...

  • Page 28: Disassembly

    To open the Tracker4’s case, remove the four case screws from the rear panel and the two hex screws from the DE9 connector on the front panel. The circuit board will pull out from the rear of the case.

  • Page 29: Application Setup

    APRSdroid APRSdroid can connect to the Tracker4 using KISS over TCP. First, make sure KISS over TCP is enabled on the tracker. The setting can be found under ‘TNC Settings’ in the web app.

  • Page 30: Aprsisce/32

    28 | Argent Data Systems APRSISCE/32 APRSISCE/32 can connect to the tracker using either USB or TCP. In either case, you’ll start by creating a new ‘Simply(KISS)’ port by selecting Configure | Ports | New Port and changing the type to Simply(KISS): Next you’ll be prompted to select the port type.

  • Page 31: Fcc Part 15 Notice

    29 | Argent Data Systems FCC Part 15 Notice This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules Operation is subject to the following two conditions: this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

  • Page 32: Warranty

    In no event will Argent Data Systems be liable for more than the amount of your purchase price, not to exceed the current list price of the product, and excluding tax, shipping and handling charges.
  • Page 33 31 | Argent Data Systems Smoothie Charts – Joe Walnes, Drew Noakes Dropzone – Matias Meno Ion.RangeSlider – Denis Ineshin jQuery – jQuery Foundation Switchery – Alexander Petkov jsmn - Serge Zaitsev SIL OFL 1.1 License (https://opensource.org/licenses/OFL-1.1) Font Awesome – Fonticons, Inc.
  • Page 34 Tracker4 APRS Tracker / TNC / Gateway MANUAL Argent Data Systems PO Box 579 Santa Maria, CA 93455 (800) 274-4076 Fax (866) 302-6890 www.argentdata.com Copyright © 2008-2018 Argent Data Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved...

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